Fine Roman Bronze Patera w/ Ram Head Handle

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE. A handsome cast-bronze patera with an accompanying handle projecting from one side. The body of the vessel is characteristically shallow with wide walls, a flat base with a concave bullseye-style motif in the center, and a thick rim with small lips hanging over both sides. The cylindrical handle boasts thirteen fluted grooves along the length, an elaborate attachment plate with curved lower lobes, and an attractive stylized ram head with dramatic curled horns flanking the tapering snout. A faint leaded-bronze palmette adorns the exterior body opposite the handle and is presented beneath flowing foliate decorations. Fabulous layers of lustrous green and brown patina envelop the entire composition, and scattered abrasions reveal the original golden-brown bronze color beneath. Size: 16.625" L x 11.125" W x 3.875" H (42.2 cm x 28.3 cm x 9.8 cm).

In ancient times, a patera would have been used to serve food and drink at symposia/dinner parties or as is an offering dish to pour libations of wine and other liquids at religious ceremonies. An example like this one, with such high quality bronze and an ornate ram's head finial, was most likely used in rituals.

For a stylistically-similar example, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1989.281.87: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/255965

Another stylistically-similar example of a smaller size hammered for $7,500 at Christie's, New York Antiquities auction (sale 2755, December 13, 2013, lot 141): https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/a-roman-bronze-patera-circa-1st-2nd-century-5747602-details.aspx

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Dr. Martin Peretz collection, Massachusetts, USA, acquired in the 1980s

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#145871
Condition Report: Handle likely not original to body and is reattached to exterior of body with light adhesive residue along periphery of attachment plate. Minor abrasions to bowl, handle, base, and rim, with a couple of stable fissures on body, fading to leaded-bronze details, light encrustations, and softening to some finer details on handle. Light earthen deposits as well as fabulous green and brown patina throughout.